KUALA LUMPUR — March 30, 2017: Malaysians previously barred from leaving North Korea are now on the way home.

They left Pyongyang today at 7.45 pm Malaysian time and are expected to arrive at the KL International Airport tomorrow, about 5 am.

“I would like to thank those in the Malaysian government involved in the negotiations, led by our Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in a statement.

Najib said he had deep personal concern about the matter and that Malaysia had worked intensively behind the scenes to achieve this successful outcome.

Following this development, Malaysia too has now allowed North Korean citizens in Malaysia to leave the country.

Additionally, following a letter from the family, the body of slain Kim Jong-nam, estranged half brother nor North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, will be returned to North Korea.

“Our police investigation into this serious crime on Malaysian soil will continue. I have instructed for all possible measures to be taken to bring those responsible for this murder to justice,” he said.

Tension between Malaysia and North Korea arose after Jong-nam’s murder on February 13 at the KL International Airport 2.

Subsequently North Korean ambassador here, Kang Chol, was declared persona non-grata and left KL on March 6. Pyongyang retaliated by expelling the Malaysian ambassador from Pyongyang.

On March 7, North Korea prohibited Malaysians there from leaving the country, resulting in a tit-for-tat from Malaysia. — Bernama